Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Lethal Weapon puts players in the boots of Martin Riggs or Roger Murtaugh, allowing you to select your favorite buddy-cop for each mission. The controls are intuitive: you can walk, jump, swim, and engage enemies with a combination of melee kicks or gunfire. Each mission challenges you to leverage both characters’ strengths—Riggs’ fearless combat style and Murtaugh’s steadier hand—to overcome a diverse roster of criminals.

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The mission structure keeps things fresh, starting with an infiltration of a busy dock to stop drug dealers and moving through claustrophobic subway tunnels, a bustling shopping mall rigged with explosives, and a high-security office complex. You’ll need to adapt your approach for each scenario: stealth and timing in the subway, precision aiming to defuse the bomb in the mall, and quick reflexes to rescue Leo Getz before time runs out. Finally, the bonus mission sends you after a rogue ex-sergeant supplying armor-piercing rounds, testing all the skills you’ve honed along the way.

Combat feels responsive, with punch and kick animations flowing smoothly into gunplay. Enemies react believably, dodging behind cover or charging at you when you least expect it. Diving into water adds layers to level design, and the swimming mechanics strike a good balance between realism and fun. While the difficulty spikes occasionally, it encourages strategic use of both characters, ensuring neither Riggs nor Murtaugh feels redundant.

Graphics

The visual style of Lethal Weapon channels classic action-movie grit, bringing 1990s Los Angeles to life with textured urban environments and atmospheric lighting. The dock level drips with rusted metal and fog, while the subway mission bathes underground tunnels in flickering fluorescent light, creating a sense of imminent danger. Although some textures may feel dated by modern standards, the overall aesthetic remains charmingly authentic to the source material.

Character models for Riggs, Murtaugh, and various enemies are well-defined, with facial details that capture their personalities. Riggs’ wild-eyed intensity and Murtaugh’s determined gaze are faithfully rendered, lending weight to every punch and bullet fired. Animations are fluid, particularly when switching between hand-to-hand combat and shooting—kick sequences transition seamlessly into draw-and-fire moments, making each skirmish visually satisfying.

Special effects, such as muzzle flashes, explosions, and environmental debris, add spectacle to the action without overwhelming the screen. In the mall mission, shards of glass scatter realistically when bullets hit storefront windows, and the bomb’s countdown display emits a nervous red pulse that keeps you on edge. Though the draw distance is occasionally limited in larger areas, clever camera angles and level design maintain immersion throughout your run.

Story

Lethal Weapon’s narrative captures the dynamic duo at their best, weaving a thread of suspense and witty banter through each mission. You begin by thwarting a drug smuggling operation at the docks, setting the tone for a city teetering on the brink of chaos. The sense of urgency builds organically as you progress, with each mission revealing a darker layer of criminal activity in your beloved L.A.

The subway level introduces suicidal terrorists who threaten innocent commuters, forcing Riggs and Murtaugh into a high-stakes rescue scenario. Dialogue snippets between the two bring levity to tense moments, reflecting the buddy-cop chemistry fans love. The mall bomb defusal mission amps up the drama, as ticking time bombs and terrified shoppers heighten your adrenaline. Cutting back and forth between Riggs’ daredevil self and Murtaugh’s cautious professionalism makes every decision feel meaningful.

Infiltrating the office complex to free Leo Getz provides a satisfying cameo, tying the game to the broader Lethal Weapon universe. His anxious chatter and the duo’s reassuring quips deepen the connection to the films. The final bonus mission—taking on an ex-cop turned arms dealer—serves as a fitting climax, uniting all narrative threads in a showdown that tests both your combat prowess and investigative instincts. Though the plot follows a familiar formula, it’s delivered with enough flair to keep fans and newcomers engaged.

Overall Experience

Lethal Weapon offers a solid balance of action, storytelling, and character-driven charm. Its mission variety—from docks to subway tunnels, malls, and office towers—ensures that gameplay never feels repetitive. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the film franchise or simply seeking a robust action game, the switch between Riggs and Murtaugh provides enough tactical depth to remain engaging throughout.

Performance is generally stable, with quick load times and minimal frame drops even during intense firefights or explosive set-pieces. The audio design complements the visuals, featuring pulsing synth-rock tracks that evoke the movie’s iconic score and crisp weapon sounds that reinforce every shot fired. Minor glitches—such as occasional clipping or AI pathfinding hiccups—are rare and do little to detract from the overall fun.

Replay value is high for completionists aiming to master each mission under different difficulty settings or with alternate character strategies. Optional collectibles and hidden secrets in each level encourage exploration, adding depth beyond the core narrative. In sum, Lethal Weapon delivers a faithful, action-packed experience that will satisfy fans of the series and action gamers alike, making it a worthy addition to your library of crime-fighting adventures.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10